i need to create a field that shows a running_count and the sum of the count.

eg

parent_id=9011 record_id=1090 count_calc = "1 of 4"

parent_id=9011 record_id=1095 count_calc = "2 of 4"

parent_id=9011 record_id=1168 count_calc = "3 of 4"

parent_id=9011 record_id=1247 count_calc = "4 of 4"

i can get the sum_count by using the sum function in the parent file but i'm having trouble with the running_count.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Your running count and total counts will both be summary fields, defined as a Count of some other field in your file. You can click on the "Running Total" box in the bottom of the summary filed window to get the running total.

If you're displaying child records in a portal, just insert the record number symbol "@@" as text in the portal row and this will display the portal row number to give you your running number display. You can combine this with a field

TotalRecords = Sum(Relationship::Field)

which contains the total number of records in the portal using a merge fields like:

@@ of <<TotalRecords>>

This will produce your "1 of 4" display.